Bicycle carrier

ABSTRACT

A bicycle carrier for fixedly retaining a bicycle on a vehicle roof (1) comprises a carrier device fastened to the vehicle roof and having a longitudinally extending support member for the wheels of the bicycle and an upwardly extending arm with a gripping device (8) for gripping a frame tube of the bicycle. The gripping device has two clamping jaws pivotable towards and away from one another and interconnected via a cog arrangement. One of the clamping jaws is connected to a draw bar having its lower and connected to an operating member at the lower end of arm.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bicycle carrier for fixedly retaininga bicycle on a vehicle roof and comprising a carrier device fixable onthe vehicle and provided with a support member for at least one of thewheels of the bicycle, and an upwardly extending arm or fork with agripping device at the upper end, the gripping device being designed forfixedly retaining a frame tube or the like included in the frame of thebicycle.

BACKGROUND ART

Bicycle carriers of the type mentioned by way of introduction arepreviously known in numerous different variations. Bicycle carriers ofthis type are mounted on so-called load carrier struts which extendtransversely across a vehicle roof from side to side and a slightdistance above the roof. On the one load strut, a fitting is securedwhich, in the transverse direction of the vehicle, is of a length ofbetween 20 and 30 cm and which serves for pivotally securing the arm orfork. When in use, the arm or fork is, therefore, pivoted with thegripping device upwards into cooperation with a frame tube included inthe bicycle.

The prior art gripping devices have carried various types of clampingmechanisms by means of which the gripping device may be forcibly urgedagainst the frame tube in order to hold this fast reliably. The clampingmechanisms have been of different types such as thumb wheels, eccentriclocks and the like, but all have been operated up at the grippingdevice.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the height at which thegripping device proper is located is relatively high above the level ofthe vehicle roof, for which reason it has proved difficult for a personstanding on the ground to reach up, simultaneously holding the bicyclein position and securing it in the gripping device.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE

The present invention has for its object to design the bicycle carrierdisclosed by way of introduction in such a manner that it is simple andconvenient to use, primarily in that the gripping device can be operatedfrom the level of the vehicle roof, i.e. at a level which is readilyaccessible for most people. The present invention further has for itsobject to realise a bicycle carrier which is simple and economical inmanufacture, which is operationally dependable and which is lockable soas to prevent theft, and which finally also includes the possibility ofbeing fixedly locked on the vehicle.

SOLUTION

The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attainedif the bicycle carrier disclosed by way of introduction is characterizedin that the gripping device is openable and lockable under the action ofa transfer apparatus, that the transfer apparatus extends to the lowerend of the arm or fork and that it is there operable under the action ofan operating device.

The present invention is further suitably characterized in that thegripping device includes two clamping jaws disposed for a relativemovement towards and away from one another for abutment against theframe tube; that the transfer apparatus is provided with a drawingdevice such as a cable, a drawbar or the like which, at the upper end,is connected to the one jaw and which, with the lower end, is connectedto the operating device.

These characterizing features realise a design and construction in whichit is simple, by operating the operating device, to lock in place oralternatively release the bicycle from the gripping device which islocated at a hardly accessible and relatively high level.

Further advantages will be attained according to the present inventionif the subject matter of the present invention is also given one or moreof the characterizing features as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in greater detailhereinbelow, with particular reference to the accompanying Drawings. Inthe accompanying Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a bicycle carrier according tothe present invention mounted on a vehicle roof and with a bicycleplaced therein;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of the upper portion of the bicycle carrierprovided with a gripping device for cooperation with a frame tubeincluded in the bicycle frame;

FIG. 3 is a lower partial view of the bicycle carrier of FIG. 1 seenfrom above and in the locked state; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through the bicycle carrier taken along thesection line A--A in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 refers to the contour of a vehicle roof,and it will be apparent that there is disposed, on the vehicle, acarrier device with feet 2 for mounting on the vehicle roof 1, a loadcarrier strut 3 extending between the feet at opposing sides of thevehicle roof and transversely over the roof. The two load carrier struts3 serve for fixedly securing and supporting a longitudinal supportmember 4 on or in which the wheels 5 of the bicycle rest. The one loadcarrier strut 3 further serves for supporting and securing an anchorageyoke 6 which, in the longitudinal direction of the load carrier strut 3,extends out on either side of the support member 4. The anchorage yoke 6serves for anchoring an arm or fork 7 which, at the upper end, isprovided with a gripping device 8 for fixedly retaining a frame tube 9or the like included in the frame of the bicycle.

In the concrete embodiment, the arm or fork 7 is, seen from the front U-or V-shaped and has one leg 12 secured in each end of the anchorage yoke6 so that the arm 7 is pivotal in accordance with the arrow 10 between aposition collapsed along the support member 4 and an upwardly directedposition. The pivotal capability is achieved by means of joints 11between the arm 7 and upstanding anchorage lugs 23 at opposite ends ofthe anchorage yoke 6.

The support member 4 is in the form of a gutter in which the bicyclewheels 5 may rest and be secured with the aid of clamping straps or thelike.

FIG. 2 shows an upper end portion of the arm or fork 7, and it will beapparent that the gripping device 8 is placed at the upper end, and thatthe arm or fork 7 comprises two tubular legs 12 which are united withone another at the upper end by the intermediary of a crosspiece 13.

The gripping device 8 includes two clamping jaws 14 which are intendedto be applied in a positionally fixing manner and to clamp about theframe tube 9 of the bicycle or some other suitable part of the bicycle.The clamping jaws 14 have, in their mutually facing sides, recesses 15which are intended for accommodating the frame tube 9. The definingwalls about the recesses 15 may suitably be fitted with a frictionalmaterial, but may also be designed in such a manner that the effectivesize and configuration of the recesses may be varied in response to theappearance and dimensions of the frame tube 9.

The clamping jaws 14 are disposed in the arm or fork 7 in such a mannerthat they may execute relative movements towards and away from oneanother. In the embodiment shown on the Drawing, both of the clampingjaws 14 are pivotally disposed about shafts 16 which are secured in thecrosspiece 13. Hereby, the clamping jaws 14 are pivotal towards and awayfrom one another in those directions indicated by the arrows 17, i.e.about the shafts 16. The clamping jaws 14 are motionally interconnectedin such manner that they describe synchronous movements towards oneanother or away from one another. In order to achieve this feature, theclamping jaws are provided with mutually engaging portions 18 which aredesigned as cog arrangements in which each clamping jaw 14 is provided,along a circle segment within the area 18, with cogs which mesh withcorresponding cogs on the other clamping jaw. In that the radii of thecogs about the shafts 16 are equal on both of the clamping jaws, thesewill move in opposite directions at the same angular speed.

According to the invention, the gripping device 8 is connected to atransfer apparatus which extends along the arm or fork 7 down to itslower end in order there to be coupled to an operating device by meansof which the gripping device 8 can be operated via transmission of thetransfer apparatus. The operation possibilities include at least twopositions in which the one entails that the jaws 14 are pivoted towardsone another so that they grasp tightly about and fixedly hold the frametube 9, and in which the other entails that the jaws 14 are pivoted awayfrom one another so that the frame tube 9 can be moved into oralternatively withdrawn out of the space between the jaws.

As one alternative to the above-described design of the clamping jaws14, one clamping jaw, suitably the left-hand jaw 14 as viewed in FIG. 2,may be permanently fixed, i.e. secured against pivotal rotation aboutshaft 16. The right-hand jaw 14, again as viewed in FIG. 2, is thusmovable towards and/or away from the fixed, left-hand jaw 14.

As an alternative to the cog arrangement in the engagement portion 18,it is also conceivable to employ linkage mechanisms between the twoclamping jaws 14 in which, for example, one such linkage mechanism couldcomprise a rod which is pivotally secured in the region above the shaft16 of the right-hand jaw 14 and which extends diagonally down to apivotal anchorage in the left-hand jaw 14 beneath its shaft 16. Such adesign and construction would also impart synchronous movements to thejaws towards and away from one another. In the embodiment illustrated onthe Drawings, the transfer apparatus includes a lever 19 projecting fromthe one clamping jaw 14, the lever having a bore which is parallel withthe shafts 16 and which is intended for accommodating a cylindrical pin20 with a transverse, threaded bore for a drawbar 21. The drawbarextends interiorly in the one leg 12 in the arm or fork 7.

By drawing the drawbar 21 in a direction downwardly according to thearrow 22, the two clamping jaws are pivoted towards one another, while areturn movement may be achieved under the action of a return spring (notshown on the Drawing).

FIG. 3 shows, from above, the anchorage of the left-hand leg 12 in FIG.2 in an upwardly directed lug 23 on the one end of the anchorage yoke 6.The Figure shows the leg 12 in a downwardly pivoted position in which itwould, in FIG. 1, lie along the support member 4. Further, the Figureshows the carrier in a state in which the gripping device 8 is locked.

It will be apparent from FIG. 3 that the load carrier strut 3 is locatedbeneath the anchorage yoke 6 and that this is provided, in its one end,with an upright anchorage lug 23 which serves, via the joint 11, forfixing the leg 12.

The right-hand leg 12 of the arm 7 in FIG. 2 is provided with acorresponding anchorage in the opposite end of the anchorage yoke 6,those components which are intended for operating and locking of thedrawbar 21 being, however, absent. Thus, the opposite end of theanchorage yoke 6 is provided with but a single anchorage lug whichcorresponds to that illustrated in FIG. 3 and which serves for pivotalanchorage, via a joint, of the right-hand leg 12 in FIG. 2.

It will be apparent from FIG. 3 that the drawbar 21 extends also throughthe lower end of the leg 12, and that, at the lower end, it extends outin the extension of the leg via a centering element (not shown on theDrawing) disposed at its end. That portion of the drawbar 21 whichextends out beyond the lower end of the leg 12 is connected to anoperating member 24 projecting out laterally of the longitudinaldirection of the drawbar. The arrangement is such that a drawing of theoperating member 24 in the longitudinal direction of the leg 12 and inthe longitudinal direction of the drawbar 21 displaces the drawbar inthe direction of the arrow 25, i.e. imparts an operating movement to thegripping device 8 at the upper end of the arm or fork 7.

For actuating the operating member 24, there is provided a cam surface26 on an operating handle 27 which is pivotally secured in the leg 12via a pivot pin 28 and which is shown in FIG. 3 in the locked position.On transfer of the operating handle 27 to the open position, this ispivoted according to the arrow 29 about the pivot pin 28 from theposition shown in FIG. 3 in a counterclockwise direction. In thisinstance, the cam surface 26 will be pivoted so that it permits theoperating member 24 to approach the end of the leg 12 so that thedrawbar 21 may move upwardly in a direction towards the gripping device8 under the action of a return spring (not shown). This upward movementof the drawbar 21 entails that the gripping device 8 is opened.

Pivoting of the operating handle 27 from the opened position (not shown)to the locked position according to FIG. 3 will have as a consequencethat the cam surface 26 urges the operating member 24 away from the endof the leg 12 so that the drawbar 21 is drawn downwardly and thegripping device 8 is tightened.

In order to make possible adjustment of the size of the recesses 15 inthe closed position of the gripping device 8, the upper end of thedrawbar 21 is threaded in the transverse pin 20. Thus, the position ofthe drawbar 21 may be varied in the longitudinal direction by rotationof the operating member 24.

As another alternative to realising the above-mentioned adjustment, anonadjustable cooperation is conceivable between the drawbar 21 and thelever 19 while, on the other hand, the lower end of the drawbar 21 isthreaded and screwed into the operating member 24 so that this willserve the function of an adjustment wheel.

Irrespective of the design and construction which is selected as regardsachieving the adjustment possibility, it is essential that the operatingmember 24 cannot rotate when the operating handle 27 is located in thelocked position illustrated in FIG. 3. That friction which may beexpected between the operating member 24 and the cam surfaces 26naturally impedes rotation of the operating portion but does not preventsuch rotation.

For this reason, the operating portion is provided, at its end facingthe leg 12, with a stop surface or arrest portion 30 which is placed anddesigned so as to prevent rotation of the operating member with theoperating handle 27 in its locked position, in that the arrest portionengages with the cam surface 26.

It will be apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4 taken together that the operatinghandle 27 has one cam surface 26 on the upper side and one cam surface26 on the lower side of the leg 12. The rotationally impeding actionfrom the arrest portion 30 is achieved, in such an embodiment, suitablyif the arrest portion is of quadratic, hexagonal, octagonal orcorresponding nonrotationally symmetric design so that it will have twomutually parallel opposing sides which interiorly can engage between thetwo cam surfaces 26.

In order to prevent the unauthorized pivoting of the operating handle 27from the locked position illustrated in FIG. 3, the operating handle isprovided, in its outer or upper end, with a locking device 31 by meansof which it can be fixedly locked in the leg 12. The detailed design andconstruction of the locking device are of minor importance to thepresent invention but may consist of a cylinder lock with a projectingT-shaped locking member which is insertable via a corresponding, oblongaperture in the leg 12 in order thereafter to be twisted to atransversely directed position when the locking device is locked.

For reasons which will be more clearly apparent below, the operatinghandle 27 is provided, between the locking device 31 and its pivotalsecurement 28 in the leg 12, with an accommodation space 32 betweenitself and the leg 12 for accommodating a locking member 33 which isdisplaceable along the leg 12 and which, with an anchorage portion 34shiftably extends about the leg 12. The locking member 33 is arranged insuch a manner that it is non-rotary about the leg 12 at least in theposition illustrated in FIG. 3 where it is accommodated in theaccommodation space 32. In order to prevent such rotation, the anchorageportion 34 may be provided with heels which engage with the operatinghandle 27 so that rotation is thereby prevented, or alternatively theanchorage portion 34 may be provided with an inwardly projecting pinwhich is guided in a longitudinal groove in the leg 12.

On opening of the operating handle 27, the locking member 33 may bedisplaced along the tube to a position considerably higher up than thatillustrated in FIG. 3, so that it is distanced from the anchorage yoke6.

For fixedly securing the anchorage yoke 6 on the load carrier strut 3,use is made of an eccentric piece 35 with a projecting operating device36. The eccentric piece 35 has a bore which extends in the longitudinaldirection of the load carrier strut 3 and in which is accommodated acylindrical pin 37 with a transverse, threaded bore for cooperation witha drag bolt 38. The drag bolt 38 extends on one side of the load carrierstrut 3 while a clamp 39 extends on the opposite side and, possiblyjointed at 40, has a lower shank 41 on the underside of the load carrierstrut 3. The lower shank has an aperture via which the drag bolt 38 maybe passed in so that a head 42 on the drag bolt may be located on theunderside of the lower shank 41.

As a result of the above-described design and construction, the loadcarrier strut 3 is enclosed by the anchorage yoke 6, the clamp 39 andthe drag bolt 38, and it will readily be perceived that if the drag boltis drawn upwards, the anchorage yoke 6 will be clamped fast on the loadcarrier strut 3.

In order to prevent unintentional opening of the operating device 36 sothat the drag bolt 38 is released, the above-described locking member 33is provided with a projecting portion 43 whose end, when the lockingmember 33 is accommodated in the accommodation space 32 of the handle27, is located in alignment with the joint shaft 11 for pivotalsecurement of the arm or fork 7 (i.e. the leg 12) in the anchorage yoke6. The end being located in this way in the region of the joint shaft,the leg 12 may be pivoted optionally about the joint shaft 11 withoutany relative displacement taking place between the end of the projectingportion 43 and the anchorage yoke 6 or the eccentric piece 35 disposedthereon. It will also readily be perceived that with this placement ofthe projecting portion 43, it effectively prevents a pivoting of theoperating device 36 in a counterclockwise direction so that the dragbolt 38 is released.

In order to open the operating device 36, the handle 27 must first beopened, whereafter the locking member 33 must be shifted upwardly alongthe leg 12 until the projecting portion 43 leaves the area or range ofmovement of the operating device 36.

While not being apparent from the Drawings, the design and constructionalso suitably includes means which prevent unintentional rotation of thedrag bolt 38 when the eccentric piece 35 is located in its lockedposition.

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the foregoing, the arrest portion 30 has been described as aquadratic or non-rotationally symmetrical projection which is disposedon the operating member 24 and directed towards the leg 12 and which maybe accommodated between the cam surfaces 26 in order thereby to preventrotation of the operating member. Alternatively, it is possible toprovide, in the surface of the operating portion 24 facing the leg, atleast one groove for each cam surface 26, so that, in the locked state,the cam surface is accommodated in the groove and prevents rotation ofthe operating portion.

In order to attain a possibility for automatic adjustment of the settingof the gripping device 8 in response to the size of the frame tube 9,the end surface of the operating member 24 facing the leg 12 and the endclosure thereof may be provided with mutually engaging recesses andprojections. This entails that, when the operating member 24 istightened and the clamping jaws 14 abut against the frame tube, theoperating member 24 will approach the end closure. When contact hassubsequently been established between the projections and the recesses,further rotation (inward screwing) of the operating member 24 will beprevented, the operating member being then located close to the endclosure, with the jaws 14 in abutment against the frame tube. By asuitable dimensioning and design of the projections and the recesses, itis possible, in this state, to realise a correct starting position forthe locking movement of the cam surfaces 26, so that finely adaptedclamping of the frame tube 9 is achieved after pivoting of the handle 27to the locking position.

According to the invention, it is possible to exclude the lockablehandle 27 and instead cause the locking function to be achieved in sucha manner that the operating member 24 is a threaded, lockable wheelwhich on being tightened draws the drawbar 21 downwardly and which, inthe tightened position, can either be locked by means of a key lock orbe disengaged from the thread.

As an alternative to the drawbar 21, a cable or wire is conceivable.Alternatively, one cable may be employed for each of the clamping jaws14, in which event these cables are secured in each respective clampingjaw in such a manner that, on drawing, they impart the sought-forcounter-directed movements to the jaws. In this embodiment, the cogarrangement in the portion 18 may possibly be dispensed with.

Further modifications of the present invention are conceivable withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the appended Claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle carrier for fixedly retaining a bicycleon a vehicle roof, and comprising a carrier device fixable on thevehicle roof and provided with a support member for at least one of thewheels of the bicycle, an arm having a lower end connected to saidsupport member and an upper end extending upwardly from said supportmember and provided with a gripping device at the upper end, thegripping device being designed for fixedly retaining a bicycle frametube therein wherein the gripping device is operable to grip and lockthe tube under the action of a transfer apparatus; said transferapparatus having one end operably connected to said gripping device andan opposite end extending approximately from the lower end of said armand an operating device connected between the lower end of said arm andthe opposite end of said transfer apparatus, said operating device beingmovable to tension said transfer apparatus and thereby operates saidgripping device.
 2. The bicycle carrier as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the gripping device includes two clamping jawsdisposed for a relative movement towards and away from one another forabutment against the frame tube; and that said transfer apparatus has adrawing device which, at the one end, is connected to one jaw and at theopposite end, abuts to operating device.
 3. The bicycle carrier asclaimed in claim 2, characterized in that the jaws are pivotal towardsand away from one another and are motionally interconnected (18) withone another for synchronous movements.
 4. The bicycle carrier as claimedin claim 3, characterized in that the interconnection between the jawsincludes a cog arrangement.
 5. The bicycle carrier as claimed in claim2, characterized in that the operating device includes an operatinghandle which is pivotally secured to the arm and which has a cam surfacewhich is located in engagement with an operating member projectingtransversely from the drawing device, whereby the drawing device isshiftable by pivoting of the operating handle.
 6. The bicycle carrier asclaimed in claim 5, characterized in that the position longitudinal ofthe operating member on the drawing device is adjustable.
 7. The bicyclecarrier as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the arm is securedin a carrier portion which, by means of an anchorage portion, is securedon the carrier device.
 8. The bicycle carrier as claimed in claim 6,characterized in that the operating member has an arrest surface which,when the operating handle is closed, abuts against the cam surface andprevents rotation of the operating member.
 9. The bicycle carrier asclaimed in claim 6, characterized in that the operating handle isprovided with a locking device by means of which it is fixedly lockableto the arm.
 10. The bicycle carrier as claimed in claim 5, characterizedin that the operating member has an arrest surface which, when theoperating handle is closed, abuts against the cam surface and preventsrotation of the operating member.
 11. The bicycle carrier as claimed inclaim 5, characterized in that the operating handle is provided with alocking device by means of which it is fixedly lockable to the arm.